Tam & Tao in Numberland is an app that helps teach children to learn to count and draw numbers from zero to nine.
The app offers a basic drawing page and a counting mini-game, but the primary section is "123 play" where each number is presented on an interactive screen with a little boy and girl (Tam & Tao).
When the player touches Tam, the screen changes to an interactive drag-to-count screen for each number. When Tao is touched, a tracing screen appears. Other items on each number page are animated and a child's voice prompts the child to touch certain items.
The first thing you notice about Tam & Tao in Numberland is the exceptional graphics. Each scene slides into place and gives the app a pop-up book feel. The number for each page is slowly drawn in the proper way.
The interactivity isn't as strong as the graphics. The tracing screen is fairly weak as the app doesn't know where the outline of each number is, so the child can just scribble anywhere on the screen. If you want a tracing app, buy iWriteWords. The drag-to-count screen was also a bit problematic for my three-year old (almost four!) as she dragged too quickly and when that is done, you can't hear all the numbers.
Also, Tam & Tao doesn't compare favorably to an app like TallyTots, which includes numbers all the way to 20.
There is an HD version ($4.99) and a regular/iPhone one ($1.99) and the app allows play in English, French and Spanish.
I can only recommend the less expensive one as there isn't much difference between the two, and, as I've stated before, I assume your children are like mine and can't tell the difference between HD and not HD.
